This article used to be under the working title “from HBO with Love” in recognition of the network's Valentine's Day triple offering to fight fans. Much respect is due the “home of boxing” for providing great matches you want to see as opposed to infomercials for their next PPV heist. Instead of watching “house” names compete in glorified sparring sessions, the network (as well as promoters) seem to be assisting President Obama (I love saying that) in offering a stimulus package of more “fight game” than big name. In times like these people are bound to watch more TV and based on the kind of woman you're with fight fans, you could end the 14^th still solvent. With money being in the forefront of all of our minds it only makes sense that Ricardo Mayorga would inject it into what should have been a rare quality tripleheader for Boxing After Dark. Out of respect to the 4 remaining professionals on the card I’ll stick to the game plan and highlight them with the exposure they deserve – and then I’ll get to “El Matador.”

Nate Campbell Keeps It Popping

After all of the trash talk from Joan Guzman you can understand why Nate would have fought the dude at 170. I felt for the brotha Nate because he did what he was supposed to do to prepare and to have a payday go down the drain like that hurts. Campbell is no young stud, and it is obvious that his complete undressing of Juan Diaz is of no consequence to the big money brokers in the sport. His only recourse now is to “Hopkins” the lightweight division until the names either step to him or step away. If he keeps winning maybe a come backing Casamayor (or Katsidis) will see his strap as a road back into the mix at 135. I Credit HBO for keeping the Galaxxy Warrior in play, and paying Ali Funeka enough to take the risk of crossing the pond. The best thing for viewers is Funeka can fight, standing at a freakish 6’1" the South African dusted off Zahir Raheem (in 4 rounds) like Pledge. He can be hurt but it never stopped him from racking up 25 KO’s to go with his 31 victories. I don’t see Brother Nate slipping; he’s what I’d like to call the rare “hungry champion.” He started late in his career, suffered from inconsistency early and is finally putting it all together at the ripe old age of 36. A lot of times when we see an older fighter “fall over the cliff” that older fighter is most often rich; Nate is by no means rich. He will also be stoked by HBO’s April “stimulus Package” PPV featuring nothing but lightweights like Casamayor and Katsidis. It’s being billed as a tourney and if I’m Nate Campbell I’m viewing the card as an economic lifeline because viable opponents are being created. But the veteran should beware of real estate and fight this fight in a phone both because from what I’ve seen Funeka can crack when he utilizes that monster reach. 

Martinez/Cintron It’s All about “Styles”

Kermit Cintron must stay focused for his Valentine's Day bout with Sergio Martinez. It must be difficult, and could anyone blame him for having one eye trained on the California Boxing Commission and former foe Antonio Margarito? Like the steroid hearings in baseball, once the cork is broken reputations are re-examined and some are restored. In my opinion Sergio Martinez is all wrong for Cintron, especially stepping up into a new division. Cintron is a rangy, long range puncher with “good” hand speed but poor head movement and crisis resolution. Martinez is looking at a late peaking, slick southpaw who looked like a newly minted star in his destruction of tough guy Alex Bunema last year. Martinez fights with an “athletic” (that’s code for black ya’ll) style but he’s not afraid to push the issue when he has you overmatched. Maybe a Vernon Forrest has the pedigree and boxing acumen to tame Martinez, but I worry Cintron won't. For that matter I’d keep Alfred Angulo and James Kirkland far away from Martinez as well, neither will be able to do to him what Margarito did many moons ago. Either way, fans of the Jr. Middleweight Division will be treated to a brand new “player” by evening's end and an infusion of “fan love” from HBO. I’m calling this one a Martinez shutout on the cards, possibly a late stoppage. Later in 2009 Martinez vs. Mora would be a natural West Coast bout, even Martinez vs. Paul Williams would give Mexican fans a reason to come out and cheer for revenge.

That’s right I said Paul Williams! - And I’m gonna keep saying it from Welterweight through Middleweight. Until somebody shows Williams (in the ring) he doesn’t belong in the upper tier of those 3 divisions, I’m saying he is.

Newsflash: The cork is broken and Margarito and his trainer have been revoked in California for 1 year. Margarito meanwhile is being welcomed in Tijuana; any welterweight willing to go to Antonio’s hometown in Mexico after what just happened in California is CRAZY.

ShoBox, Sugar Who?

I used to date a woman who was a fan of boxing (take me back please!) who was so humored by the nickname Sugar Poo that she laughed every time anyone said it. Now there’s another reason to laugh, because what Andre Ward did to Buchanan in some way probably resembles what would happen if you or I attempted to spar. Henry (I can’t say Poo too much) seemed shocked very early by how big the gap was between what he “is” and what Andre Ward “is” and you could see it on his face. Every now and then the Shobox alum (he will be soon) mustered a little anger and threw a cluster of arm punches at the end of rounds to no avail. Andre needed the rounds as injury and inactivity have slowed his ascension to the big-time at 168. Hopefully the Ward camp can get him back in the truth machine soon to maintain the much needed momentum. I’m not convinced that (with work) Andre can’t step up and challenge the winner of Taylor /Froch by at least early '10. Max Kellerman once said of Gus Johnson, “he can do any event and make it sound like the place you want to be.” Now I know what he was talking about.

FNF, Mack is back!

Yusef Mack stepped up to 175 and preserved his brand by beating lower top ten contender Chris Henry. The bout was entertaining in spots and Henry made it interesting with his heart and size advantage. Round six was a clear indicator as to why both buys will probably see one another again-in the lower top ten. Mack seemed to whack Henry with repeated slapping right hands that only rocked the Houston native. Henry for his part couldn’t seem to move his head nor mount an attack to get close and stay in the smaller man's chest. Did they show holes in their games? Yep. Did I like it? As a fan, hell yeah. ESPN did a great job in the matchmaking aspect of boxing as the smaller Mack matched up very well with a stronger wide punching foe. The network is doing their part in providing better value by offering Glenn Johnson, Sam Peter and Vitali Klitschko in the coming month, all in competitive bouts. Funny how an economic crisis can make people in all industries roll up their sleeves and put a little more effort in what they do. By the way, remind me to kiss up to my boss tomorrow- as a preemptive measure.

Darchinyan vs. Arce ooif!!

I’m a fan of all things little, maybe because I am what one would call diminutive myself. Since I’m so enamored with myself (I like to keep it real) I see myself in Nate Robinson, Spud Webb, and Prince, anything little and packed with Dynamite. But Vic Darchinyan ain't one of us ya’ll, his hands are those of someone 50 lbs heavier. Damn, where’s Mr. Richardson when you need him? If I were in Arce's camp I would want to check his DNA after the fight. All credit to the feisty Mexican for showing massive heart in the face of a bigger, faster destructive force. If Arce is border line Hall of Fame at this point his chin is already voted in to a special wing with the likes of Jake LaMatta. After the 7^th round Arce's corner would not have been blamed for stopping the bout but like their charge they were courageous and clueless. The 115 pound kingpin hit Arce with every manner of left hand through the affair; looping, corkscrew, straight and even a few hybrid punches. After round 8, Arce's courageous corner advised him that he had to give it his all to win, but don’t open up because he’s getting hit too much...huh? Round 11 actually had 3 or 4 ominous precursors as Arce was beaten from pillar to post by the “Raging Bull,” that uppercut (don’t ever throw it from that far out kids) at :16 almost knocked Arce's head off!.

Post fight Gary Shaw seemed to throw water on Darchinyan's “swag” by practically screaming him down in opposition of avenging the loss to Donaire. I’ve even read a lot about how Vic is in the driver’s seat and that Donaire is the one who needs him. OK, this is fan speak mixed with a little man speak; no man, and I mean not even Ray Robinson himself, could convince himself that a man who knocked him the hell out needs him. If I’m in Vic’s camp I say the time is now, he’s 32 (small fighters fall off cliffs) he just made a quantum leap in skills (jab, punching with both hands and defense) and Networks are now in “show me something worth paying for” mode. It makes sense, and guys like Fernando Montiel will be there for later in the year. And please, no more Prince Hamed comparisons, they share only surface qualities. Similar facial features, small unorthodox southpaws who can crack and are not shy about letting you know how good they are. Vic Darchinyan is more consistent in his attack, doesn’t pull his head back and he just seems like a more rugged guy. When Hamed was taken apart by Barrera he didn’t raise his game, he quit- and we do Vic a disservice by evoking Hamed's name when he fights.

And now for the star of our show, the 6 that thought it was 9

Much props to Danny Perez and now Cosme Rivera for stepping in to face Alfred Angulo on short notice. Rivera was last seen on the airwaves eating cartoonish combinations from WBC boy king Andre Berto back in 2007. Ricardo Mayorga’s performance against Shane Mosley would have been credible enough to remain a player if A.) He didn’t get KTFO in the final round and B). Mosley didn’t move down in weight and destroy Margarito. Mayorga is a blessed athlete; his rise to prominence at welterweight in 2003 earned him well paid fights with Forrest, Spinks, Trinidad and De La Hoya. He was able to maximize his earnings as a paid villain by cashing in on his disgusting pre-fight proclamations. If you put him on mute you realize that he is a raw guy who is more recently known for being KO victim to real stars. Don King says this “pull out” tactic is an old tactic but like Manny Ramirez, Mayorga is learning that old tricks don’t work when you’re old. Someone once said to me that romantic hell is to be in love with a 6 who thinks she is a 9, because she’s never at peace with herself and she believes you should pay to make her feel better. Ricardo Mayorga is a 6, Corey Spinks showed that and guys like Shane and Oscar (for their own purposes) drove the point home. Since facing Trinidad you could even argue that Mayorga is a 5 because part of his “allure” was that he stayed upright. Trinidad may have permanently taken a point off El Matador when Ricardo pulled the old “come on hit me” routine. Unfortunately, the way boxing is structured there are some 9’s out there that don’t get opportunities to just pull out of paying gigs.  Let's hope the current wave of “responsible spending” by the networks will benefit the 8’s and 9’s who are often left out in the cold in favor of 6’s who think they are elite.

Newsflash!! Mosley to the Body!!

According to Mayorga’s camp the ex-Welterweight champ re-aggravated an injury to his ribs sustained against Mosley last October. Wuhhhh? , Remember Shane knocked the smirk off of Margacheato’s face in round one of their January 24^th bout. That left hook to the body changed the complexion of the whole bout! I have to put this out there, fight fans; we all may have underrated Mosley as one of the premier body punchers in the world TODAY. Talk about a guy’s gangsta rep going up a couple of notches in the span of 1 month.